Apparatus for separating gases from liquid



Jan. 13, 1953 .1. a. RHINEHART ETAL 2,625,236

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING GASES FROM LIQUID Filed Aug. 26. 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet l 48a 7 m L9 E mwe nf-" u- 3maentors Qttorneg Jan. 13, 1953 '.1. R. RHINEHART ETAL v 3 APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING GASES FROM LIQUID 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 26, 1948 .& Mn m 3 vmfg m m U 0 6 1953 J. R. RHINEHART ETAL 2,625,236

APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING GASES FROM LIQUID Filed Aug. 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 3nnentors Gttomeg Jan. 13, 1953 J. R. RHINEHART ETAL 2,625,236

APPARATUSFOR SEPARATING GASES FROM LIQUID Fi1ed Aug. 26, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 (1 orneg Patented Jan. 13, 1953 APPARATUS FOR SEPARATING GASES FROM LIQUID John R. Rhinehart, Ridgewood, and Charles Eshricli, Hasbrouck Heights, N. J., assignors to Belco Industrial Equipment Division, Inc., Paterson, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application August 26, 1948, Serial No. 46,284

(Cl. ice-2.5)

3 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating gases from liquids. The invention is particularly adapted for treating liquids such as boiler feed water, fruit juices or other liquids for the purpose of separating entrained oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia or other volatile materials therefrom.

In degasifying liquids, the practice has been to spray the liquid into a chamber containing steam to remove a portion of the gases entrained in the liquid and then passing the partially degasified liquid into contact with steam heated trays, baffles or scrubbers disposed within the chamber, to remove another portion of the entrained gases. Reliance has been placed'to a large extent on the scrubbers to reduce the gas content of the liquid to a minimum amount.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide an improved method and apparatus for separating entrained gases from a liquid wherein the liquid is converted into finely subdivided particles, the particles are simultaneously agitated and subjected to conditions of temperature and pressure whereby the particles of liquid are caused to boil almost instantaneously, thereby causing the separation of an unusually high proportion of the gases entrained in the liquid.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method for separating gases from a liquid by passing a stream of the liquid into atomizing means wherein the stream is deflected in directions substantially transverse to the axis the level of liquid in the storage tank or by the pressure of the liquid flowing into the atomizing means or by both liquid level means and the pressure of the liquid flowing into the atomizing means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide liquid degasifying apparatus which is compact, which comprises a minimum number of parts, which will not readily get out of order, which is practical and efiicient under varying conditions of use together with a procedure which is highly efiective in reducing the entrained gas content of liquids to an exceedingly small amount.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, arrangement of parts and procedural steps which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described,- and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

'In the accompanying drawings, in which is shown various illustrative embodiments of this of the stream andsimultaneou'sly spun in a spiral path so as to impart a substantial tangential component to the spun liquid and passing it through multiple orifices in the atomizing means thereby finely subdividing the liquid into particles form ing a clodlike formation, agitating the particles under conditions .of temperature and pressure which will cause substantially instantaneous boiling of the particles and consequent separation of the entrained gases and the coalescence of the degasified particles into liquid films.

Still another object of this invention is to provide liquid degasifying apparatus which includes a storage tank for receiving the degasified liquid, an atomizing chamber communicating with the storage tank, multijet atomizing means disposed within the chamber including movable means for adjusting the size of the jets and means for spinning liquid toward the jets with a substantial tangential component, means disposed externally of the atomizing chamber for moving the movable means, the operation of the moving means being automatically controlled by means responsive to invention:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the apparatus embodying the invention, with parts cut away and parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the steam inlet portion of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the atomizer and associated actuating means, with parts cut away and parts in section; I

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line il of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating a modified form of atomizer control;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view similar to that shown in Fig. 1 and illustrating a further modification of the atomizer control;

Fig. '7 is a vertical elevation view'of a modified-former atomizer, with parts cut away and parts. in section and g a a I Fig. 8 is aside elevational-view of apparatus embodying the invention and illustrating a modification thereof, with-parts in section.

Referring in detail to the drawings, l0 designates liquid-gas separating apparatus embodying the invention. The same comprises a horizontally disposed, cylindrical storage tank II for receiving the degasified'liquid. The tank is providedwith an upstanding, communicating, cylin dr'ical atomizing chamber [2. The chamber 12 includes a top -wal1 -l3 on which is mounted a condenser 'andgas'vent his The tank I l is provided at its lower portion with an outlet [5 for drawing off the degasified liquid and an overflow pipe l5a.

Raw liquid to be degasified is introduced into the upper end of chamber l2 by means of a supply line [6 which is connected to one branch Ila. of a cross pipe fitting I! which is mounted on the top wall l3 of the chamber by means of another branch I'lb. An atomizer [8 depends from the under side of the top wall l3, projecting into the chamber 12 and communicatingv at its upper end with the branch Nb of the fitting H. A supply line 19 which isconnected to another branch l'lc of the fitting I1, is adapted. to introduce boiler condensate or the like into the atomizer 8, for treatment.

As shown in Fig. 3, the atomizer It! comprises a plurality of similar, vertically superposed, cylindrical outer sleeves 20. Each of the sleeves is formed with radially extending ears 2| and which 2 are adapted to be vertically aligned to receive bolts, thereby securing the sleeves together. Each of the sleeves 26 is also formed with a plurality of closely spaced, parallel slots or orifices 22 extending about the periphery thereof. The orifices 22 comprise vertical, outwardly diverging walls 23, as shown in Fig. 4. The angle between each pair of orifice walls may be between about 30 and about 60. Eachof the orifices may have a maximum transverse dimension of about 0.25 inch.

The topmost sleeve is bolted to a flanged, annular adapter member 2st which in turn is bolted to an annular rim member 25. The rim member 25 is disposed within an opening 25a. formed in the top wall E3 of the chamber l2 and secured thereinby welding or the like. The fianged portion of branch Nb" of the fitting I7 is bolted or otherwise secured to the upper surface of the member 25. A deflector ring 26 is mounted on the outer surface of each sleeve 29 and includes an upwardly'and outwardly extending conical wall portion 26b disposed opposite the orifices 22, for the purpose hereinafter appearing. p

A circular disc 21 closes off the lower end of the lowermost sleeve 20. The disc 21 is formed with an axial opening in which is mounted a bearing 28. A shaft'29 is axially'disposed within the sleeves 2!), with its lower end slidably received in the bearing 28. The upper end of the shaft 2s extends through the annular member 25 and projects into the interior of the fitting I! where it is connected to a coaxial shaft 30. The shaft 39 extends upwardly through the branch [1d of I the fitting l1 and is connected to a pressure responsive, spring loaded, diaphragm type actuating device 3!. The lower end of the device 3| is bolted or otherwise attached to the flanged portion of branch [1d of the fitting II. It is apparent that the shaft 29 is adapted to be moved axially with respect to the sleeves 20 upon operation of the actuating device 3i.

Mounted in the adapter member 24, is a deflector which comprises an axial hub portion 34 formed with a through opening through which the shaft 29 freely passes. Extending radially from the hub 34 are a plurality of similar. equiangularly disposed vanes 35. The vanes may be of the propeller type and have surfaces 36 inclined to the horizontal. The leading edge of one vane may be in substantial vertical alignment with the rear edge of an adjacent vane. The outer ends of the vanes are welded o otherwise secured to the inner surta e Qf cylindrical sleeve 37. The outer surface of the sleeve 31 is fixed to the inner surface of the adapter member 24 by welding or the like.

Fixed on the shaft 29, in spaced longitudinal arrangement thereon, are a plurality of similar, aXially movable deflector members 40. The defiectors 46 each comprise a hub portion 41 fixed to predetermined portions of the shaft 29 and a plurality of vanes 42 extending radially thereof. The vanes 42 are similar to the vanes 35, hereinbefore described. and are similarly disposed relative to the hub M. The outer ends of the vanes $2 on each of the deflectors 40 are secured to the inner surface of. a cylindrical inner sleeve 63. The inner sleeves 43 are concentric with the outer sleeves 28 with the outer surfaces of the sleeves 43 slidably contacting the inner surfaces of the sleeves 28.

The deflectors 48 are arranged on the shaft 23 so that in one position of the shaft, the orifices 22 in each of the outer sleeves 28 are covered or substantially covered by the inner sleeve 43 on one of the deflectors it. It is apparent that upon axial movement of the shaft, the orifices are progressively covered or uncovered, dependingupon the direction of movement of the shaft. The effective size of the orifices 22 may be accordingly regulated upon controlled operation of the actuating device (it. The deflectors 63 may be so positioned on the shaft 29 as to provide for orifice openings in one sleeve 20 of a size different from that of the orifice openings in another sleeve 241, upon axial movement of the shaft 29 to a given position.

Means is provided for automatically controlling the operation of the actuating device El and thereby regulating the effective size of the orifices- 22 in sleeves 26. To this end the storage tank H is provided with a float operated level device 65 which may be connected by a mechanical linkage to suitable valve operating means on valve 41' interposed in the inlet line Hi. The upper end of the actuating device 3| is connected to the line 16 between the valve- 41 and the fitting 1? by a conduit 48. The pressure on the diaphragm in device 31 may be'equalized by means of a conduit 48w interconnecting the lower end of the device 31 with the upper end of the chamber l2.

Steam is brought into the chamber I2 by means of an inlet 49' which is connected to an annular steam chest 50 disposed within the storage tank; ll, opposite the lower end of the chamber. The chest 5%] is provided on its inner periphery with a sawtooth outlet 5|. A conical bafile 52' is mounted within the lower end of chamber 12'. The baflie 52 includes a downwardly extending cylindrical portion 53 which is disposed concentrically within the annular chest 50. A conical bafile 54 is also mounted within the chamber l2. The lower portion of the baffle 5d overlaps the upper portion of baffle 52. A circular bafile plate 55 having an upwardly extending rim 55, is mounted within the lower portion of the baffle 5%, by means of angle members 56a.

It will be apparent that in the operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-4, the flow of raw liquid through line 16 by the valve t? which is controlled by the float operated level device 35, which in turn is controlled by the level of treated liquid in the storage tank I i. Also, the pressure in the line is between valve 41 and fitting ll controls the operation of the actuating device, which in turn determines the relative axial position of the shaft 29, thereby controlling the effective size of the orifices 22 in the atomizer I8.

A stream of raw liquid passing from the line I6 to the fitting I 1 towards the atomizer ill, will impinge on the fixed deflector. The stream will be deflected in substantially transverse directions by the vanes 35 which will impart a spinning spiralling movement to the deflected stream. The spun liquid will then pass spirally downward through the successive deflectors 40. As the spiralling liquid contacts the vanes 42 of each of the deflectors 40, the liquid is again spun outwardly and has a substantial tangential component imparted thereto. The liquid then spins through the portions of the orifices 22 in sleeves 20 which are left exposed by the inner sleeves 43. As a result, the liquid will leave the atomizer in extremely finely subdivided form andwill produce in effect a cloudlike formation within the chamber [2. As the finely divided particles of liquid leave the atomizer, they are deflected upwardly toward the top wall 13 of the chamber by means of the deflector rings 26.

The steam entering through the inlet 49, at a substantial velocity, passes through the outlet 51 and rises upwardly through chamber I2 in a tortuous path due to the bafiles 52, 54, 55. The steam reaches the upper portion of the chamber in a highly agitated state and quickly intermingles with the floating, finely dividedparticles of liquid. The particles then become highly agitated and reach their boiling point almost instantaneously. As a consequence, gas-es entrained in the liquid, such as oxygen, carbon dioxide, ammonia or other volatiles not condensable at' the temperature of the steam, are separated from the liquid very rapidly and in substantial amount. The separated gases or other volatiles are removed through the condenser and vent M or may bev collected in any suitable manner.

After separation of the gases from the liquid particles, the degasified particles fall downwardly until they reach the baffle plate 55 and the baffies 52, 54 which are heated by the steam from chest 50. The liquid particles are quickly coalesced upon contact with the heated bafile plate and baffles. As the liquid particles impinge on the heated surfaces, a further boiling action may It has been found that with the incoming raw liquid atomized to a degree of subdivision that results in a cloud-like formation of particles and the agitation of the particles by the intermingling, turbulent steam, the boiling of the particles is almost instantaneous. The speedy boiling of the finely divided liquid particles results in an unusually high degree of separation of the entrained gases or other volatiles which are noncondensable under the conditions of treatment. 65

It is possible with the operation of the atomizer as hereinbefore described to attain such a high degree of gas separation as to render the use of supplementary gas scrubbers, ,bafiles, trays or other secondary treatments, optional. The apparatus disclosed herein is of particular utility in the case of marine installations where the roll of aZsh-ip seriously aflects the operation of conventional baiiles or trays.

; ;It has been notedthat not only is the oxygen content of liquids treated in the manner described, reduced to la point heretofore believed unattainable, but that in addition other entrained gases such as carbon dioxide and ammonia, are also separated from tlire liquid in very substantial amounts. In the case. of liquids which have been pretreated with chemicals which leave a residue of carbon dioxide in free or combined form, the fineness of the atomir ied liquid particles as well as the rapid boiling aqtion results in speedy separation of the gas. Natural waters Which normally contain varying amounts of bicarbonates, when treated, appear to'* readily yield up separable carbon dioxide which was originallyin combined form. Similarly, ammonia present in liquids either in free or combined forms, is readily separated from the liquid during its treatment.

It is understood that theapparatus embodying the invention may be used to treat water, fruit juices or other liquids having entrained gases which are separable from the liquid under conditions of treatment.

The orifices 22 in the sleeves 21] are self cleaning, since the axial movement of the inner sleeves 43, is effective in removing any incrusted solids which may collect on the inner surfaces of the sleeves 20, particularly at the orifices.

Condensate from a steam boiler or the like may be brought into the atomizer l8 for treatment, through line l9. If the condensate has a relatively low pressure as it enters the fitting l7, it is desirable to increase its velocity'in order to insure proper atomization. To this end, the deflector 33 is arranged for rotational movement as shown in Fig. 7. For this purpose the hub 34 of the deflector is fixed to a hollow shaft 6!) which is rotatably mounted on shaft 29. The shaft 60 may be supported against axial movement by means of a spider 60a mounted within the fitting H. A bevel gear 61 is fixed to the upper end of shaft and meshes with a bevel gear 62 fixed on one end of a horizontally disposed rotatable shaft 63. The shaft 63 is mounted in a suitably packed through bearing 64 fixed in a wall portion of the fitting IT. The externally projecting portion of the shaft $3 is adapted to be rotated by means not shown, thereby rotating shaft 60 and imparting rotary movement to the deflector 33. Such arrangement will increase the velocity of approach of the condensate as it is spun towards the orifices 22 in the sleeves 20.

The rotation of the deflector 33 is also effective to increase the velocity of approach in the case of treatment of liquids having a relatively high viscosity. It is understood that the deflectors 60 may also be so arranged as to be rotated as well as moved. axially, by conventional mechanical means, thereby further increasing the velocity of approach of a stream of liquid passing through the atomizer H3.

In Fig. 5, is shown an arrangement for automatically controlling the axial movement of the inner sleeves of the atomizer l8 wherein the float operated level device 45 is directly connected to the actuating device Si by means of a pneumatic or hydraulic line 65 and a pilot 66. In this instance, the axial movement of the shaft 29 is directly responsive to the specific level of the treated liquid in storage tank H.

In Fig. 6, is shown another arrangement for automatically and simultaneously controlling the operation of the actuating device 35 and the valve 47 in line lc. To this end, the float operl i i a,

ated level device llifis connected'to'the device 31 by a pneumatic or hydraulic line 6"! and pilot 61a.

ii i i i z i g 7 Valve .47 is operated by adfevice sm, similar to device: 31 and arsocoenectea to line 67.

It is understood that thsi lines 65, fil'may be replaced with mechanical ginkages for operating the valve Hand the device 31.

The atomizer I8 may also be used under. con ditions of reduced pressure and temperature, as shown in Fig. 8. The atoiinizer [8 together with fitting ll and device 3| is mounted on the hemispherical top wall 78 of .-'a vertically disposed cylindrical chamber H. The chamber H is connected to a vacuum pump or other vacuum creating means, not shown, by a line '12 communicating with a lower portion of the chamber. A conical deflector or bafile i3 is mounted within the chamber opposite line l2. Extending from the lower portion of ,lihe deflector I3 is an annular apron M which extends outwardly and downwardly toward the inner surface of the chamber but terminating short thereof. A conical member is mounted on the inner surface of the chamber below the apron M. The inner rim of member 75 extends upwardly and inwardly toward the deflector 73 but terminating short thereof. The

apron l4 and member 15 are in overlapping relation to each; other. The member '55 is formed with a plurality of peripherally spaced openings 16 adjacent the inner surface of chamber '5 A plurality of metal or wood staves ll are mounted in spaced relation on suitable transverse supports 1-8 fixed within the chamber be tween the deflector l3 and atomizer l8. A T fitting '59 is mounted in the bottom wall 8% of chamber H. One branch 8! of the fitting is connected to a storage tank 82 by a barometric leg 83. A vertically disposed, rotatable shaft 2 1 is mounted for rotation in the opposite branches 85, 86 of fitting l9 and which are provided with suitable packings. The upper end of shaft 3% projects into the lower portion of chamber H and has a horizontally disposed fan 8'! fixed thereto. The downwardly extendingportion of shaft 8 is adapted to be rotated by means not shown.

The apparatus may be operated at pressuresas low as 1 inch of mercury and at temperatures short of the solidification point of the liquid being treated. The liquid introduced into the atomizer l8 through lines is or [9, is atomized in the manner previously described, producing a cloudlike formation of very finely divided particles which are directed upwardly toward the dome'iormed by the top wall it by the deflector ring wall portions a. The rotating fan 8'1 agitates the fog or cloudlike formation and under the condition of reduced pressure, almost instantaneous boiling of the liquid particles takes place. The degasifled liquid particles impinge on the surfaces oi the staves l1 and coalesce into sheets on films of liquid which is collected inthe storage tank 82 by Way of the barometric leg 83. The separated gases pass through the bailie l3 and between the" member 15 and apron M and are removed in the vacuum line l2. Any liquid collecting on member 15 passes downwardly through openings 1e therein. A pump 88 connected to storage tank 82 may be used to transfer the gas ireo liquidto any desired point. I

It is understood that the operation of the inner sleeves in atomizer l8 may be automatically controlled by means of the device 31 which in turn may be controlled by a fioat level gauge in the storage tank and by valves in the inlet lines, in the mannerpr'eviously described.

I n desired, treated liquid ay be recirculated through theatomizer l 8, thereby reatomizing the treated liquid-to remove minutev residual amounts of gas which mayv be. still present inthe liquid. This may be readilyaccomplished by connecting outlet 15 of apparatus ,i0 with line l9 and using a recirculating pump if necessary. Such an'ar-' rangement also provides means for preheatingthe cold raw liquid coming into atomizer l8 through inlet line l5, since the treated liquid in storage tank I l is at an elevated temperature.

Similarly, the lower end of chamber H may be connected to line l9 by a conduit including a recirculating pump. The liquid collecting in the chamber H may thus be reatomized to further reduce its gas content. f

It will thus be seen that there is provided a method and apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, isto be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to protect byLetters Patent is:

1. Apparatus for separating gases from gas containing liquid comprising. a chamber, means for atomizing' the liquidin a portion of said chamber, 'said atomizing means comprising a pair of slidably contacting members, one of said members being formed with a plurality of oriiices, the other of said members being adapted to regulate the size of said orifices upon relative movement of said members, pressure responsive actuating means operatively connected to one of said members for slidably moving said connected member relative to the other member and means responsive to a liquid level in said chamber including a pressure line connected to said actuating means for automatically controlling the operation of said actuating means.

2. In apparatus for separating gases from gas containing liquid, the combination of a chamber for storing gas free liquid, a line for supplying gas containing liquid, multi jet means for atomizing said gas containing liquid in a portion of said chamber and including a slidable member for regulating the size of the jets. means disposed externally of the chamber for mo vingsaid slidable member and means independent of the pressure in said line and controlled by the level of gas free liquid in said storage chamber for controlling the operation of said moving means.

3. Inapparatus ofthe character described, the combinationofa storage chamber for treated liquid, inlet means for bringing liquid. to be treated into a portion of said chamber, atomizing means within said chamberand communicating with said inlet means, said atomizing means comprising a pair of slidably contacting members, one of said members being formed with at least one orifice, the other member being adapted to regulate the size of said orifices upon relative movement of said members, means disposed externallyof said chamber and operatively connected tonne of said members for effecting relative movement between said memberaand fluid pressure means controlled by the level of the tre e nluu i aws-a e cham forwamatically regulating the operation of said moving means independently of the pressure in said liquid inlet means.

JOHN R. RHINEHART. CHARLES H. ESHRICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Rodman et a1 Dec. 15, 1931 7 Number 10 Name Date Gibson et a1 Jan. 16, 1934 Cornell, Jr. Feb. 13, 1934 Pulley Nov. 10, 1936 Webre Jan. 19, 1937 Roclman Feb. 9, 1937 Rohlin Mar. 28, 1944 De Flon May 8, 1945 Bergquist Nov. 2, 1948 Sebald Dec. 28, 1948 

